Hugh immediately grasped Caden's meaning and barked at the bodyguards, "Don't you hear him? Give her 30 lashes! Then, lock her in the family memorial hall! She doesn't come out until I say so!"

"Let go of me! You're not my father, Hugh! You're an animal!" Victoria fought with all her strength, but the bodyguards held her fast.

She was dragged into a side room. Marjorie stood there, gripping the sturdy riding crop, her face alight with vindictive glee.

"You ungrateful little bitch! You're just like your dead mother, always thinking you're above everyone else! I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your father today!" Then, she raised the whip high and brought it down with savage force.

The first crack across Victoria's back sent white-hot agony exploding through her body. Her vision blacked out for a heartbeat, and she bit down on her lip to keep from screaming. The lashes rained down relentlessly, one after another.

Marjorie seemed to be channeling years of pent-up hatred into every swing. Each lash landed more brutally than the last, as if she intended to flay the skin from Victoria's body.

Agony wracked Victoria's body, twisting it into involuntary spasms. Cold sweat soaked through her clothes. As her consciousness began to fray, a memory surfaced.

Caden had asked with a frown when he learned of her strained relationship with Marjorie, "Do you need me to deal with her?"

She remembered nights when grief drove her to slip out alone to Eunice's grave in the pouring rain, and how he had somehow found her in the pouring rain, wordlessly wrapping her in his coat and driving her home. She remembered those fleeting moments she had mistaken for genuine concern.

Back then, had he ever imagined that one day, he would be the one to personally condemn her to this living hell?

A cough rattled in her chest, and the coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. Yet, a low, ragged laugh escaped her lips.

The sound chilled Marjorie's blood, fueling her rage. "What are you laughing at, you wretch?"

Victoria lifted her face, which was streaked with sweat and blood. Her eyes, fierce as a wolf's, locked onto Marjorie. Each word came out slow and deliberate. "I'm laughing at you and your daughter, destined to live off other people's scraps your whole miserable lives!"

"You—"

Marjorie trembled with fury and threw the crop aside. She turned and snarled at a maid, "Get me the stun baton! Now!"

"No, Mrs. Calloway! You mustn't! You'll kill Ms. Victoria!" an elderly maid, Edith Baker, cried out, unable to stay silent.

"Get out of my way! Who are you to speak?" Marjorie shoved Edith aside, snatched the stun baton from a bodyguard's hand, and swung it down viciously on Victoria.

Victoria shrieked as a searing jolt of electricity and a brutal impact tore through her. She heard the sickening crack of her own ribs giving way. A gush of blood escaped her mouth. Then, everything went black.

…

When consciousness returned, Victoria found herself lying on her own bed. Every inch of her body felt as though it had been run over by a truck.

Edith was quietly applying salve to her wounds, brushing away the tears streaming down her face as she whispered, "Ms. Victoria, just yield to Mr. Calloway. Why put yourself through such suffering?"

Victoria shook her head weakly, her voice a ragged whisper. "Yield? Yielding to this family will only get me devoured, bones and all."

She paused, forcing a smile that looked more painful than tears. "It's just a beating. And I gave Cassandra a cracked skull, too. It wasn't a bad trade. I… can take it."

Then, with great effort, she retrieved a bank card from beneath her pillow and pressed it into Edith's hand. "Ms. Baker, I want you to have this."

Edith recoiled in shock and hastily refused, "No, Ms. Victoria! I couldn't possibly! How can I take your money?"

But Victoria answered in a resolute tone, "Take it. I've… had this ready for quite some time now. I'm leaving the country and probably never coming back.

"You came with my mother from the Monroe family, so they won't treat you well here. This money… It's enough for you to live out your years in peace. Listen to me, resign and leave this place."

Edith looked at the card in her hand, then at the young woman who still thought of her even in her battered, broken state. Tears spilled freely, and she fell to her knees with a thud.

Victoria quickly stopped her, her voice frail yet carrying a hint of something almost childlike. "You know what, Ms. Baker? I'm actually craving your pumpkin soup."

"Yes, Ms. Victoria. I'll go make some for you right now. It'll be quick!" Edith hastily wiped her tears and hurried to the kitchen.

The room fell silent again. Victoria gazed up at the ornate but frigid ceiling and slowly closed her eyes, letting despair and sorrow swallow her whole.

In the days that followed, Victoria remained in her room to recover. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she slowly packed all her belongings. She also gathered every single gift Caden had ever given her.

He might not have loved her, but he had been generous. The total value of these items approached a hundred million dollars. She had considered simply throwing them away, but then she changed her mind and contacted the owner of a high-end club she frequented.

Hearing the club was hosting charity auctions recently, she called and mentioned she had plenty of items to contribute.

She received a swift reply informing her that there was an event that very evening, and she was welcome to attend.

That evening, Victoria arrived at the club with several large boxes. After handing everything over to the auction coordinator, she turned and, in a stroke of bad luck, saw Caden and Cassandra walking in together.

Cassandra leaned into Caden, and when her eyes met Victoria's, a flash of triumph and provocation lit within them.

Victoria's nails dug into her palms instinctively, then quickly relaxed. She had business here tonight. There was no need to waste her energy on them.

Caden's gaze seemed to linger for a fraction of a second on her unnaturally pale face before shifting away indifferently.

She had just taken her seat when the lights dimmed. The host took the stage and announced excitedly that before the auction began, there would be a three-minute "kiss for charity" segment for all the couples present to enjoy.

Victoria froze.

Roving spotlights swept through the darkened venue, illuminating couples locked in kisses and embraces.

She turned instinctively and caught sight of them.

Not far away, Cassandra wound her arms around Caden's neck with a sweet smile. He looked down at her, the corner of his mouth lifting in the faintest possible curve. Then, he bent down and kissed her.

In that instant, Victoria's heart felt like it was seized by an invisible, crushing grip. Memories flooded her mind uncontrollably. Memories of every passionate, possessive, desire-fueled kiss that she shared with Caden. Yet, none had ever held this quality of tender reverence.

Just then, a drunken scion from a wealthy family stumbled over. "You must be feeling lonely sitting here all by yourself, Ms. Calloway. Here, I'll accompany you…"

Victoria jerked violently away. "Get away from me!"

But the drunk scion was strong, and it seemed he was about to overpower her. Suddenly, the venue plunged into darkness again. The next sound she heard was a heavy thud as the young man was sent sprawling by a kick.

Then, he was quickly and silently dragged away.

Victoria's heart slammed against her ribs. She recognized the man who had delivered that kick. He was one of Caden's personal bodyguards.

Her gaze flew instinctively to where Caden stood. In the darkness, his expression was unreadable. Only the outline of his figure holding Cassandra was visible.

When the lights returned, his composure was unshaken, as if the entire incident had nothing to do with him.

A wave of shock hit Victoria, followed by a torrent of bitter irony. What was the meaning of that? He was protecting his precious first love one moment, then coming to her rescue the next? Wasn't it laughable? But before she could untangle the thought, the auction commenced.

The first lot presented was the massive collection of Caden's gifts that Victoria had donated, with a starting bid set at one hundred million dollars.

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Caden's gaze sharpened instantly. He narrowed his eyes, looking toward Victoria, clearly recognizing the origin of the items. Anyone who knew him could see through that calm facade and recognize it as the telltale sign of his rising anger.

But Victoria met his stare head-on, the corner of her mouth lifting in the faintest, most mocking curve.

As bids began to come in one after another, Cassandra tugged at Caden's sleeve, whispering, "Caden, that blue diamond necklace is exquisite. I love it!"

Caden was silent for a few long seconds. Then, he raised his paddle.

In the end, the entire collection was sold for a staggering one billion dollars, bought by Caden, and promptly presented to the beaming Cassandra beside him.

Victoria watched the exchange with irony. Wasn't this just another form of things returning to their rightful owner?

During the intermission, she went to the restroom to freshen up. As she stepped out, she saw Caden leaning against the corridor wall, a cigarette between his lips. The hazy smoke softened the hard lines of his features but did nothing to hide the heavy, unreadable weight of his gaze fixed on her.

Victoria kept her eyes forward, intending to walk straight past him. But her wrist was seized in a firm grip.

"Why did you auction those things?"

Instead of answering, she looked up and threw another question back at him, her tone biting. "Why did you have your bodyguard step in for me just now?"

Caden's brows furrowed slightly as he began to speak.

But Victoria cut him off, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Let me guess. You're going to say that you only did it because I'm Pam's best friend? Because she asked you to look out for me?"

She took a step closer, tilting her head back to meet his stern gaze, her lips curving into a cold smile. "Do you think she can also get you to look after my love life, Mr. Larkson?"

Caden pinched the bridge of his nose, a flicker of weariness crossing his features. In the end, he said, "Victoria, you're always like a hedgehog, all bristles and spikes. What good does that do you?"

Good? None at all. But if she hadn't learned to protect herself, the Calloway family, and his beloved Cassandra, would have already torn her to pieces and left nothing behind.

She was about to retort when Caden continued, "I was your last man. Your next one can't be worse than me. That trash from earlier isn't worthy of you. If you need a man, I can introduce you to someone suitable."

Victoria stared at him, stunned. Then, she laughed so hard it brought tears to her eyes. Who did he think he was? After driving a blade into the depths of her heart, he now felt entitled to comment on her standards? Was it possessiveness or merely concern that she might tarnish his image?

"Caden," she said, the laughter dying, her gaze ice-cold and shattered. "My life is none of your business, and you have no right to interfere."

Her tone turned deliberately flippant, laced with self-condescending scorn. "As for men? I can have as many as I want. It's not like I'll be around and let you see any of them anyway."

Caden latched onto the phrase, voice dropping dangerously low. "What do you mean you won't be around? Where are you going?"

Victoria said nothing. She wrenched her wrist free and walked away.

When she returned to her seat, all she wanted was to escape the upsetting place as soon as possible. But when the next item was brought out, her gaze froze.

It was a sapphire necklace, classic and elegant in design. It had been Eunice's most cherished possession.

Victoria's head snapped toward Cassandra, meeting her triumphant, gloating gaze. Understanding dawned instantly. Hugh must have secretly given Eunice's things to Cassandra, and Cassandra was now publicly auctioning them off.

Victoria forced herself back into her seat. She had no choice but to calm down and take part in the bidding. She couldn't just stand by and watch Eunice's most treasured possession fall into someone else's hands.

After several intense rounds of bidding, Victoria finally secured the necklace at a price several times its market value.

She let out a breath of relief and was about to go collect it when Cassandra suddenly stood up.

"Wait a moment." Cassandra's voice was gentle, yet laced with unmistakable malice.

"I apologize, sir. I seem to have made a mistake. I don't wish to auction this necklace. It's a personal keepsake of mine. I must have mixed it up by accident."

With that, she collected the necklace, flashed Victoria one last victorious smile, and turned to leave.

Victoria immediately chased after Cassandra and caught up to her on the compound of the club.

"Cassandra! Give me the necklace! I'll pay you any price!" Victoria said urgently.

Cassandra toyed with the chain, her smile turning openly vicious. "I'm not short of money."

She walked over to a man-made lake beside the club, looking at the murky water. Then, turning back to Victoria, she said, "You love beauty, elegance, and your pride the most, don't you? Well, if you want it so much, go get it yourself."

With a casual flick of her wrist, she tossed the necklace into the lake without the slightest hesitation.

Almost without a single thought, amid the astonished looks and gasps of the onlookers, Victoria plunged into the icy water. She groped frantically in the murky depths, the mud staining her expensive gown, ruining her meticulously applied makeup. But she paid no attention to any of that.

And that was the scene that greeted Caden when he stepped outside after finishing a cigarette.

Caden's brows furrowed deeply. He strode to the edge of the lake and reached out a hand to Victoria, his voice taut with suppressed anger. "Victoria! Get out of there!"

Victoria brushed his hand aside and continued her desperate search. Only when her fingertips brushed against something cold and solid did she finally clamber out, soaked to the bone, clutching her prize tightly in her fist.

It was only then that Caden got a clear look at the object she had risked her life for. It was a small gemstone necklace, appearing somewhat old-fashioned and worn.

A wave of inexplicable fury washed over him, and he grabbed her arm. "You donate items worth up to a hundred million dollars without a second thought, and you jump into a lake without a care for your own life for this… this trinket?"

Victoria wrenched herself free. She trembled violently from the cold and her overwhelming emotions.

"You know nothing! So don't stand there making flippant remarks! You said it yourself—we're over! So do me a favor and leave me alone! Stop paying me any attention, and stop initiating conversations—"

Then, she stared straight into his eyes, enunciating each word that followed with deliberate clarity, "My future brother-in-law."

The address hit Caden like a physical blow. He stiffened, his eyes widening.

Before he could respond, Cassandra approached, her voice sweetly innocent yet laced with triumph. "Thank you for retrieving my necklace, Vicky."

She reached out for the necklace clenched in Victoria's hand.

But Victoria held on, refusing to let go.

Cassandra turned to Caden with a wounded expression. "It's mine! Caden, Mom gave this to me…"

Caden's gaze shifted between Victoria's stubborn defiance and Cassandra's expectant look. His frown deepened. Finally, he reached out and seized Victoria's wrist in a vise-like grip.

"Let go," he said firmly.

"No!" Victoria glared at him with reddened eyes.

Caden pried her fingers open, one by one, with brute force.

A faint, sickening crack was heard before Victoria let out a choked gasp of agony. He had dislocated her wrist.

Excruciating pain radiated up her arm. Her face drained of color, sweat beading on her forehead as she stared in disbelief at the man who could be so brutally cold.

Cassandra seized the opportunity to snatch the necklace away, throwing a triumphant glance at Victoria before slipping her arm through Caden's. "Caden, let's get our coats and leave," she said softly.

Caden gave a stiff nod. His gaze lingered for a fraction of a second on Victoria, now curled in on herself with pain, before he turned to leave with Cassandra.

However, as they crossed the threshold of the club, a heavy wrought-iron light fixture suspended above them came loose somehow, plummeting straight down at Cassandra.

Caden reacted with lightning speed, shoving Cassandra out of the way, but the edge of the fixture still grazed the back of her head.

"Cassie!" Caden's face paled. He immediately scooped her up and rushed toward the parking lot, heading straight for the hospital.

Victoria, cradling her dislocated wrist, was in agony and on the verge of passing out herself. She was eventually taken to the same hospital by a kind stranger.

The doctor setting her bone couldn't help but comment, "Who on earth could be so cruel as to do this to a young woman?"

Victoria's face was ghostly pale, her lips trembling. The pain in her heart far eclipsed the physical torment.

The doctor informed her the injury was severe and required several days of observation, so Victoria ended up being admitted.

However, she had barely been settled into her room when Caden stormed in, bringing a wave of icy fury with him.

His expression was thunderous, his eyes boring into her as if he wanted to tear her apart. "Victoria, I reviewed the security footage. You bribed a staff member to loosen that light fixture, didn't you? You intended to kill Cassie."

Victoria found the accusation absurd. She met his gaze coldly. "I did not!"

"Who else would harbor such malice toward Cassie? Victoria, I've underestimated you. You truly believe you're above the law and are capable of anything!"

"I said I didn't do it! You have no right to accuse me!"

Caden's gaze turned glacial. "Accuse you? It seems you won't tell the truth without a lesson."

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, his voice dropping to a chilling tone.

"Contact the police. Ms. Victoria Calloway is suspected of intentional assault. Send someone over. A few days in detention should help clear her mind."

"Caden Larkson!"

Victoria stared at him in horror, unable to believe he would use his influence to have her thrown into a detention center.

But no matter how desperately she struggled, explained, or cried out, it all proved futile.

Soon, uniformed officers arrived at the hospital room. They ignored the doctor's protests and Victoria's injured state, forcibly taking her away.